Turtle Time

Its turtle season in the north east.   The Riverhead Foundation cares for anywhere from 20-40 turtles brought in during cold stun season.  Since there are just not enough hours in the day or bodies in the rescue center, the public is really key in finding the turtles that need help.  So  here's a bit of info to get you started as a turtle rescue beach patroller!

The term “cold stunning” refers to the hypothermic reaction that occurs when sea turtles are exposed to prolonged cold water temperatures.  Sea turtles are cold-blooded reptiles that depend on external sources of heat to determine their body temperature.   In cold water they do not have the ability to warm themselves, so  they migrate down to warmer waters.  Once the ocean water temperature reaches 50 °F turtles start becoming susceptible to cold stunning.

The cold water slows the turtles body functions and they wash up on shore.  Once they wash up on the beach the window for recovery starts to close.  Without proper intervention and care the turtle will die.  



Kemp's Ridley

The smallest member of the sea turtle family, this reptile is also considered the most endangered.  Kemp's Ridley sea turtles have a distinctive round to heart-shaped shell that ranges in color from gray-brown to olive to black. The underside is yellowish on adults and white on juveniles.

Release of Atlantis cold stunned 2010

Green Sea Turtles

Green sea turtles are named for the green color of the fat under their shells.  The green sea turtle is olive-brown to black on its shell and its underside is yellowish white.

Release of Jetty, cold stunned 2010

Loggerhead Sea Turtles

The loggerhead sea turtle is perhaps the most common of the sea turtles   The are normally reddish/tanish/orange on both their shell and their undersides.

Release of Atlas, cold stunned 2008

Now you know what you are looking for you just need the how.

Dress warmly, in layers and wear comfortable shoes.  

Bring a garbage bag along and help keep the beach clean while you're looking for turtles

You can patrol at any time, but the chances are greater for finding a turtle if you patrol after high tide, particularly after storms or extremely cold weather.

Search the entire beach from the dune line to the water line, check the water for floating turtles and look through the high tide line for turtles buried beneath the dried seaweed.

The turtles may be upside down so keep their underside colors in mind as much as their shell colors.

If you find a turtle, call the 24-hour Rescue Hotline at 631-369-9829 immediately for further instructions and to arrange a pick up for both live and dead sea turtles.  

When you call try to be as specific and accurate of your location as possible.  It puts the turtles in danger if the rescue team member is hopelessly lost trying to find you.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WARM THE TURTLE!!! Rapid warming may cause irreversible
damage to a cold-stunned reptile.

Don't put the turtle in water.  Just try to create some protection from the elements until a rescue team member can get there.  

 If you have to leave the area before the rescue team arrives, CLEARLY mark the location of the turtle so that it can be quickly located